Dec
10
Swimming Pool Safety Equipment You Should Have
Filed Under Safety
Swimming pools are deceptively enticing. One the one hand, they’re filled with one of the most harmless elements on the planet. It’s an element that we use every day all day long and unless it’s poisoned, it poses no real threat. On the other hand, large quantities of the stuff can kill and failing to have proper swimming pool safety equipment nearby poses a threat every time we get near it. What is this element? It’s water.
Plain old water can become a nasty beast when swimmers don’t recognize its potential for danger. That’s why you’ll continue to see an inventory of swimming pool safety equipment sold in stores that seemingly focus on things like pool maintenance. You’ll not only see that inventory in stores, but you’ll also see it here, described on this page.
Rescue Tube
You’re probably already familiar with this piece of equipment — especially if you were an avid Bay Watch fan. The rescue tube is a flotation device covered with foam. The hook at one of its ends wraps around an unconscious floater, who is then pulled to safety with the tube’s towrope.
Ring Buoy
The ring buoy is another floatation device that’s thrown to a struggling conscious swimmer. Its foam material helps those in need stay afloat while being pulled out of the water with an attached rope. The thing that makes the ring buoy work is the length of its rope. Since the entire device may need to reach the far end of a pool, its rope should adequately extend that distance.
Shepard’s Crook
Similar to the telepole, the shepard’s crook is a 12-16 foot long pole that lets you reach far across or deep into a large swimming pool. Its long flexible loop is what helps you retrieve an unconscious swimmer.
Although these devices can be enough to save a person’s life, they aren’t very useful if they’re out of reach. Ideally, each device (and you should own all three in addition to a first-aid kit) should be kept on the pool site and within reach. Keeping them locked away in a shed that sits 14 feet away is not acceptable since a person can drown during the time it takes you to retrieve these items!
